Systems and methods for mixing paint

Abstract

A tank apparatus for mixing paint including a mix compartment, a circulation compartment, a partition between the mix compartment and the circulation compartment, and a transfer assembly in fluid communication with the mix compartment and the circulation compartment, whereby the transfer assembly has an opening to selectively transfer mix paint from the mix compartment to the circulation compartment of the tank apparatus.

1. A tank apparatus for mixing paint comprising:
 a mix compartment; 
 a circulation compartment; 
 an enclosure disposed over the mix compartment and the circulation compartment; 
 a partition between said mix compartment and said circulation compartment and extending vertically downward from the enclosure, thereby separating the mixing compartment and the circulation compartment such that no mix paint passes through the partition; and 
 a transfer assembly in fluid communication with said mix compartment and said circulation compartment, said transfer assembly comprising a pump disposed externally of said mix compartment and said circulation compartment, wherein said transfer assembly selectively transfers mix paint from said mix compartment to said circulation compartment of said tank apparatus, 
 wherein said mix compartment, said circulation compartment, or both comprise at least one agitator for stirring paint. 
 
   
   
     2. The tank apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said transfer assembly selectively provides supply paint to said mix compartment. 
   
   
     3. The tank apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said transfer assembly comprises a valve assembly. 
   
   
     4. The tank apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said valve assembly comprises a three-way valve. 
   
   
     5. The tank apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a suction line, wherein said suction line provides supply paint to said mix compartment. 
   
   
     6. The tank apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pump is in fluid communication with said mix compartment and is configured to provide supply paint to said mix compartment. 
   
   
     7. The tank apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a volume of said circulation compartment is approximately forty percent of a volume of said mix compartment. 
   
   
     8. A paint system configured to deliver paint to a spray booth comprising:
 a tank apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and 
 a paint booth, wherein said paint booth receives circulation paint for application to an article. 
 
   
   
     9. The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a passage assembly in fluid communication with said transfer assembly, said passage assembly having at least one passageway. 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one passageway comprises a suction line, wherein said suction line provides supply paint to said mix compartment. 
   
   
     11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one passageway further comprises a circulation hose, wherein said circulation hose transfers paint from said mix compartment to said circulation compartment. 
   
   
     12. The system of  claim 8 , wherein a volume of said circulation compartment is approximately forty percent of a volume of said mix compartment. 
   
   
     13. A method for delivering paint to a spray booth comprising:
 providing a tank apparatus according to  claim 1 ; 
 providing supply paint to said mix compartment; 
 mixing said supply paint within said mix compartment to produce mix paint; and 
 transferring said mix paint from said mix compartment to said circulation compartment to produce circulation paint, and delivering circulation paint from said circulation compartment to said spray booth. 
 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a valve assembly for transferring paint between said mix compartment and said circulation compartment. 
   
   
     15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein a volume of said circulation compartment is approximately forty percent of a volume of said mix compartment. 
   
   
     16. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a passage assembly in fluid communication with said transfer assembly, said passage assembly having at least one passageway.